Quitting is for winners

Guess what? I used to smoke a pack and a half a day. I smoked, on and off, for 14 years. I tried to quit several times by different methods, but I had always gone back to it. Until I finally found success using a method that I’m sharing with you today, with the hope that it will help someone else.

The program is called The butt stops here and is sponsored by Seton Health. It only costs $45, but it’s free if CDPHP is your health insurer. If you’re enrolled in Medicaid, the cost is only $20. Considering what you get for this money, it’s a great value! Here is what the program provides: Up to 6 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy – nicotine patches and nicotine gum – which cost up to $60 per package in the pharmacy; 7 in-person group support sessions (held in Albany, Troy, and Schenectady); a Quit Kit (tools to help you deal with cravings);a workbook; and a relaxation CD.

Let’s talk about the support group component. When I first heard about it, I wasn’t thrilled. I’d never been to a support group before but for some reason, I was definitely not looking forward to it. I wanted to quit smoking, though, and the nicotine replacement therapies are given out at the meetings, so I went. Surprise! About halfway through the first meeting I discovered that I enjoyed it! Not only did I enjoy the group meetings, but I found them to be very helpful and I even looked forward to them each week.

Two things I remember most from the support group meetings: 1) Many people shared their own tips on how they deal with cravings. When I was faced with my own cravings I tried many of their methods and it helped a lot. 2) The group was facilitated by a nurse who told us that cigarette smoke absorbs into the fabric of things like furniture and automobiles. That means that when non-smokers are sitting on a smoker’s couch, or riding in a smoker’s car, the chemicals that have already been absorbed by the seat, are then absorbed through the person’s skin, into their bodies. It brought new meaning to the stench of a smoker. Of course it makes sense that if you can smell the smoke, the smoke still remains. But I hadn’t thought before about the toxic chemicals from cigarettes entering the bodies of non-smokers through their skin. Before I learned this fact (even when I was a smoker) I would become upset when I saw drivers smoking with the window rolled down and children in the back seat, knowing that a significant amount of smoke was making its way into the lungs of those children. But now I am even more disturbed knowing that those children are getting another dose of harmful chemicals through their skin. I mention this because I don’t think many people are aware of it, but they should be.

I called (518) 459-2550 and spoke to a woman who told me the next program will begin in January. If you’re interested, I encourage you to start thinking about it now, and spend some time getting used to the idea of you actually quitting. I believe one of the keys to success is to prepare yourself mentally to make a shift in your thinking. Once you’re psyched up enough to enroll in the program, continue to prepare yourself for change until the sessions begin.

When I prepared myself to start the program, I kept reminding myself of what life was like before I began smoking. I would tell myself that I used to have no problem getting through the day without a cigarette, and all of the non-smokers out there have no problem surviving without cigarettes. It’s only because I had an addiction that I had a problem not smoking. If my body used to be happy without cigarettes, it could be that way again. I reminded myself that only the first few days of quitting involves a physical addiction, and after that point, the process is entirely a mental one. Even though I hadn’t quit yet, I began to change my thinking from, “I’m a smoker” back to “I’m a non-smoker.” I thought of how nice it would be after I quit – no more stinky hair and clothes, no more shame and embarrassment, the return of easy breathing, and more money in my pocket. For several weeks I ran through this mental routine in preparation for The butt stops here and it helped me embrace the process as something I wanted to do, and could do with support, rather than something I should do but wasn’t quite ready for.

Now will it be your turn? Go ahead, you can do it! It could be the best $45 you ever spend.